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'It was always just at the back of my mind' - Rejected All Black reconsiders test aspirations
One-test All Black halfback Brad Weber has admitted he was too intent on trying to get re-selected into the national side last season after being left in the international wilderness four years on from his test debut.
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The 28-year-old made his solitary appearance in the black jersey against Samoa in Apia in 2015, and hasn’t been seen in an All Blacks squad since.
A regular starter for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, Weber was usurped by teammate Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi in the national pecking order last year, with the All Blacks selectors picking the latter as the third-string halfback behind incumbents Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara.
Things went from bad to worse for Weber, as he missed out on Steve Hansen’s extended 51-man squad for the Japanese leg of the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour in October, with Crusaders duo Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond selected instead.
The Hawke’s Bay veteran was quick to phone All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster for the reasoning behind his omission, while also requesting advice on how to stay in contention for the upcoming World Cup.
Although he now knows what is required of him to get back into the test arena, Weber said he has cast aside any hopes of a national recall, as he believes that was the hinderance that allowed opposing halfbacks to overtake him in the national set-up.
“It’s always going to be motivating, I guess, to aim for that [All Blacks selection],” he told Fairfax.
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“But I probably let it creep into my thoughts a bit too much and it probably affected me. It was just always in the back of my mind, where I was at.
“To be honest, this year I’m not really even thinking about it anymore, it’s just trying to play way freeer, and with less on my mind I think it will benefit my rugby. And I’m pretty keen to win a championship here with the Chiefs. I love this team. So that’s the main motivating factor at this stage.”
Weber, who is entering his sixth season with the Chiefs, is contracted to New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2020, but has the option for an early release should offshore clubs come calling.
However, Weber is adamant that rejection from the World Cup squad would not play a part in his decision to leave New Zealand a year early given that he would have to give notice before that team is selected.
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With all that in mind, the livewire halfback – who claims he is “in the best shape of my life” – is solely focused on performing well for the Chiefs this season, starting tonight in Hamilton when they open their Super Rugby campaign against the Highlanders.
“It’s been tough, they’ve been thrashing us. But it’s been good,” he said of the Chiefs’ pre-season preparation leading into tonight’s clash.
“The weight doesn’t change too much, to be fair, just the fitness is the best it’s ever been in terms of testing. I’m pretty happy that the speed’s still there, which is obviously one of my points of difference.
“I find the game’s way easier if I’m fitter, especially for a halfback, having to get to every ruck, and especially at the pace that we want to play. I know if I want to play for a decent amount of minutes then I’ve got to be real fit.”
Rugby World Cup City Guides – Kumamoto:
Comments on RugbyPass
Will rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
2 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
2 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
2 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
28 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
3 Go to comments